Limp Bizkit Bassist Sam Rivers Dies; Band Pays Tribute

Sam Rivers, the founding bassist of nu‑metal band Limp Bizkit, has died at 48, the group announced in a heartfelt social‑media statement calling him “our heartbeat” and “pure magic.” The band did not disclose a cause of death; Rivers had long battled alcohol‑related liver disease, left the band in 2015 for treatment, received a life‑saving liver transplant in 2017, and rejoined in 2018. DJ Lethal’s recent Instagram posts — including a reposted tribute tagged “#F–kcancer” — have prompted speculation that cancer may have been involved, though no official cause has been confirmed. Rivers shared a final Instagram post hours before his death celebrating the band’s past and upcoming shows, and fans and fellow musicians have poured in tributes. Limp Bizkit and DJ Lethal have asked for privacy for Rivers’ family while details remain pending.